Where and How to Find Supplies

You will need a little capital to buy your first suite for refurbishment - œ10 should do it easily if you know where to look. You can then sell this and use the profits to re-invest in your business - maybe even start your own furniture showroom with time!

It is possible to go direct to the larger upholstery retailers and ask if they sell off part-exchange furniture. Make it clear you are a trader or they may pretend not to be interested. Usually though they will be keen to dispose of this furniture and you can offer to pay a little over the odds and still make big profits. They take part exchanges not because they want to - but as a sales gimmick and usually you will be doing them a service by removing unwanted exchange items.

If you cannot buy direct from a retailer you will have to try an auction. There will be many auctions of 'household effects' in your area and you will need to make a habit of visiting some. Rarely will they all sell 3 piece suites exclusively - but you will soon find the ones which tend to attract most of this type of furniture. Take some time to learn how the auction works and you will not find it hard to snap up a bargain.

However you buy your stock it is not possible to identify the most profitable items. Concentrate entirely on 3 piece suites since these are most readily saleable. Don't buy odd chairs which will be difficult to sell. Don't consider badly torn or damaged upholstery. But, you should consider anything that is just dirty - no matter how badly soiled it is. Or, anything with a few minor faults e.g. castors and buttons missing. Look particularly at dralon suites as these are the very easiest to handle and the dirtier they are the more profit you will get!

You will be able to pick up some good stock from as little as œ3-4 (realistically!) for a full suite. But, you should be prepared to pay up to œ30 (if you have the money) and still be confident of making a big profit.

If you are successfully in bidding for a suite the auction rooms will usually keep it for a while until you can arrange transport. If you don't have suitable transport hire a large van (e.g. a Transit or Luton type van). These can often be hired by the hour for self-drive (a little more with driver) from as little as œ4-5 per trip. Once you get the suite home you will need somewhere to store it. A spare bedroom is fine, but a garage or garden shed will do. Cover the suite to protect it and provide some heat if
the weather is cold and damp.

Once you have purchased a suite it must be refurbished as soon as possible for maximum profit. But, an average suite should not take more than 2 or 3 evenings work to bring to easily saleable standard.